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 Listen
to the Scripture
Philippians 1:18-29 -- 18 What does it matter? Just
this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out
of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice. Yes, and
I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your
prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this
will turn out for my deliverance. 20 It is my eager expectation
and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but
that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted
now as always in my body, whether by life or by death. 21
For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 22 If I am
to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me;
and I do not know which I prefer. 23 I am hard pressed between
the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for
that is far better; 24 but to remain in the flesh is more
necessary for you. 25 Since I am convinced of this, I know
that I will remain and continue with all of you for your
progress and joy in faith, 26 so that I may share abundantly
in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.
27 Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel
of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent
and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm
in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the
faith of the gospel, 28 and are in no way intimidated by
your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction,
but of your salvation. And this is God's doing. 29 For he
has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing
in Christ, but of suffering for him as well.
OVERCOMING
OBSTACLES
Lesson
9 - August 1, 2010
Devotional Reading: Acts 9:10-16.
Background
Scripture: Philippians 1.
Scripture: Philippians 1:18-29.
CENTRAL
THOUGHT: The
Gospel requires commitment, regardless of circumstances.
LESSON
OBJECTIVE: To examine Paul's message to the church in
Philippians 1 about serving Christ in spite of circumstances.
In
today's lesson, we find Paul writing this letter to the
Philippian Church from prison, which would by normal standards
be considered a position of great disadvantage. It would
seem to be depressing and inhibiting to be incarcerated
and unable to carry on the work to which he was so deeply
committed. But when we consider the whole picture, we find
Paul fully enthusiastic and invigorated by what he is facing.
First of all, he's writing this letter to the church with
which he has the closest friendship, the church most supportive
of him and most dedicated to the work of Christ. Therefore,
with such support and enthusiasm, and looking around him
at the circumstances and the workings of the Holy Spirit,
he is able to see that things are really happening to his
advantage and to the advantage of the spread of the Gospel.
So he sees what normally is considered obstacles turning
into opportunities and advantages. Therefore, he has j oy
rather than sorrow. He sees God using his present situation
to further spread the word and get the message of Christ
out to more and more people. So, with such faith in Christ,
Paul is able to overcome the obstacles others are putting
in his way. He gives God the glory. Thus, he is a good example
for the Philippians and for all Christians who face obstacles
in rendering devoted service in the Christian life and mission.
I.
Seeing Christ Exalted in One's Circumstances: Philippians
1: 18b-21.
II. Complete Self-Surrender: Vv. 22-26.
III.
Encouraging Words to Strengthen the Church: Vv. 27-29.
I.
Seeing Christ Exalted in One's Circumstances: Philippians
1:18b-21. In his imprisonment, Paul was able to look
around him and see the most positive consequences of the
circumstances in which he found himself and appeal to the
church with whom he had the closest spiritual ties and friendship
to share his spiritual insights and joys. He communicated
that being in prison had not inhibited the mission for Christ,
but had rather advanced it even more. Even though he suffered
in this confined state, he saw it all for the better. For
Christ is exalted and glorified through Paul's suffering.
Adverse circumstances were being turned to his advantage,
as those who intended to do him harm were actually doing
him good in that the Gospel was still being carried even
by those who were seeking to discredit it. Paul rejoiced
because the prayers of the Philippians and the Spirit of
Christ were constantly giving him support. He also rejoiced
because he saw Christ exalted in his body through all that
Paul suffered. For Paul, whether he lived or died, Christ
is glorified and Paul experienced joy.
II.
Complete Self-Surrender: Vv. 22-26. Paul was in a state
of complete self-surrender whereby he saw himself as either
given over completely to Christ in his death or given completely
over to the service and benefit of the church (and Christ
as well) in the continuance of his life. He did not have
a clear choice one way or the other, but left the matter
in God's hand. Certainly, this is a rare state for one to
be in, even a committed Christian. But it shows us that
one may reach that height of ecstasy in Christ as one grows
deeper and deeper in commitment and service. Clearly the
call of every Christian is to total commitment and surrender
to Christ. We read in Scripture all the time about Jesus'
call for taking up our cross and following Him: "Those
who want to save their life will lose it, and those who
lose their life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 16:25).
It goes on and on, "Come to me, all you that are weary
and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; ... and you will
find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden
is light" (Matthew 11 :28-30). We read this, but few
really take it to heart as Paul did.
III.
Encouraging Words to Strengthen the Church: Vv. 27-29.
This passage concludes with strong words of encouragement
and conviction to strengthen the church as Paul had been
strengthened by what he had endured and borne bravely through
the power of the Spirit. Paul was speaking from experience
as he urged the Philippians to stick together and hold out
so that they would benefit Christ in the greatest way possible,
which was the endurance of hardship for Christ's sake. He
indicated that God is allowing the opposition to come against
them in order to enable them to grow in Christ and for Christ
to be glorified by their endurance. Paul wanted the church
to see their suffering for Christ as a privilege and not
a burden, as Paul himself had done.
It
takes a special blessing from God for us to appreciate how
suffering for Christ can be considered a privilege. But
we can start in that direction by understanding that life
in Christ is a gift from God and does not eliminate hardship.
Hardships will come to the Christian, as Christ demonstrated
in His own experience of temptation in the wilderness as
soon as He was baptized and acclaimed by God as God's Son.
Jesus underwent other temptations throughout His life and
ministry and ultimately gave up His life as a sacrifice
for the sins of the world in order that through Him, all
might have access to eternal life. Other Christians in our
times have set examples of privileged suffering for Christ's
sake; one of the most famous was Martin Luther King, Jr.,
who called it a mountaintop experience. It was a joy and
a privilege. There are many more everyday people in our
midst who bear suffering bravely and consider the glory
God gets out of their life for the sake of Christ.
In
general, we have different attitudes toward suffering, varying
from regarding it as an unnecessary evil to seeing it as
a means of gaining wisdom. Not many of us are willing to
see suffering as a privilege. Yet some believe we are strengthened
by overcoming obstacles. We often hear the saying, "If
it doesn't kill you, it will only make you stronger,"
which mayor may not sound encouraging. Whether we have a
positive or negative attitude toward suffering, we all know
that it is a natural part of human existence, and all religions
of the world have their teaching on it in one way or another.
Whether we are religious or not, we have to deal with it
and bear it. Whether we enjoy it or hate it when we are
going through it, most of us do wind up on the other side
of it wiser than we were before. Though we have tried throughout
the ages to understand why humans have to suffer, we have
not yet solved the puzzle to everyone's satisfaction. In
suffering, we are challenged to use all that we have to
overcome it, and then we are constantly challenged to try
to understand the reason why it must be.
Please
note that not all suffering should be considered as "suffering
for Christ." We need to differentiate the suffering
that Christian growth may call us to embrace from the suffering
that Christian justice calls us to stamp out, resist or
overcome.
1.
Use Philippians 1: 3 as an opening sentence of a letter
to someone your Sunday School class designates (e.g., a
missionary family your congregation supports, someone in
the military, someone in the hospital).
2.
Brainstorm ideas for how those strong in their faith can
be an encouragement to others who are going through a difficult
time.
3.
For the Teacher: Find hymns about God's power to
sustain us in times of trial. Sing and discuss the hymns,
their origins, et cetera.
4.
List and discuss ways we have suffered for Christ.
5.
List and discuss ways we can live worthy of the Gospel.
-----------------Written
by Dr. Mozella G. Mitchell - (Young People - Adult)
Lesson comments taken from The A.M.E.
Zion - Young People - Adult Quarterly - Dr. Mary Love, Editor
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